Waterstop



Dec. 17,1963 1 s. D. BRADLEY 3,114,219

' WATERSTOP Filed April 24, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 L l /L T INVENTOR.

JTEPHEN D. BRHDLB BY WILSON, SETTLE-Iii CRAIG 'flrrofiNEYj United States Patent Ofiice 3,ll4i,2l9 Patented Dec. 17, 1963 3,114,219 WATERSTOP Stephen D. Bradley, Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich, assignor to Detroit Macoid Corporation, Detroit, Mich, a cerporation of Michigan Filed Apr. 24', 1961, Ser. No. 104,914 5 Claims. (Cl. 50-446) The present invention relates to a waterstop for sealing adjacent, sequentially poured concrete panels by the utilization of conventional pouring forms.

Many different types of elastomeric waterstops have been proposed in the prior art, such waterstops being adaptable for utilization between adjacent cast concrete members, such as between the side walls and footings of a building, between consecutively poured concrete highway slabs or between adjacently poured swimming pool sections or the like. Such waterstops typically comprise an elastomeric membrane, preferably formed of synthetic vinyl compositions, having a central portion bridging the gap between the adjacent poured cast shapes and integral flanges embedded in the cast concrete members, respectively. The waterstop is positioned and retained by attachment to the forms as the forms are filled with the fluid concrete. The elastomeric character of the membrane accommodates limited shifting of the cast shapes, and the flanges are conventionally formed with longitudinally extending ribs or the like disposed angularly to the long tudinal plane of the membrane to resist displacement of the membrane flanges from the cast concrete. Additionally, such ribs serve to provide an elongated, tortuous flow path for water seeping between the membrane and the cast shape in an attempt to by-pass the membrane.

Illustrative of two different types of such waterstops are those disclosed in my earlier filed applications, Serial No. 24,315, filed April 25, 1960, and Serial No. 71,752, filed November 25, 1960, both of said applications being assigned to the assignee of the present invention.

In the utilization of waterstops of the type disclosed in the above-identified applications, it has been necessary to use split forms and also to utilize waterstopsupport brackets which are invested within the finally set concrete panels.

More specifically, the waterstops are supported so as to bridge the adjacent, sequentially poured panels, and this requires leaving a space within a partition, usually formed of wood, defining that wall surface of the first panel which will abut the corresponding surface of the second poured panel. Thus, utilization of the strips has resulted in complicated pouring forms for the panels and the necessity of extraneous supporting means for securing the strips in the position in which they are desired in the final cast composite panel structure. Further, there is some danger of shifting of the strips, or even of the split forms, during the pouring of either of the panels, but particularly during the pouring of the first panel.

The present invention now provides a new and improved method of installing elastomeric waterstops between adjacent sequentially poured panels and to an improved waterstop specifically adapted for utilization with the method. More specifically, the waterstop of the present invention is provided with a central section joining laterally projecting side flanges which are adapted to be embedded in or invested in the cast panels with the central section lying intermediate the two panels. Carried by the flanges and depending therefrom are spaced shoulders which are utilized for retaining the waterstop in position during the separate pouring of the two panels.

In use, a form is erected to define the first of the panels, the form including a partition having one face defining the juncture between the two panels. One of the flanges is positioned against this partition member and a retaining means, such as a nail, is utilized to secure the shoulder of the one flange to the partition so that the one flange projects generally normally of the partition, the other flange and the central section being deflected into fiatwise contact with the partition. Upon filling of the erected form with concrete, the first flange is invested in the concrete and, when finally set, the flange is securely positioned therein. Upon tearing down of the form and removal of the partition, the other flange and the central section are positioned, so that the other flange lies in the second panel pouring space and the central section bridges the juncture between the two panels. To secure the other flange and the central section in the desired position, the shoulders are secured together with the same means which was utilized for retention of the waterstop during pouring of the first panel.

In this manner, it is possible to avoid the necessity of split molds and also it is possible to avoid the necessity of separate retention wires or clips for securing the waterstop in position during pouring of the panels. At the same time, the waterstop is firmly secured to the partition during pouring of the first panel, and the nail or other securing means positions the non-invested portions of the waterstop by attachment to the already invested flange during pourin of the second panel.

It is, therefore, an important object of the present invention to provide an improved waterstop for sealing ad acent sequentially poured concrete panels.

It is a further object of the present invention to provrde an improved waterstop for bridging the gap between abutting concrete panels which are separately poured in ndividually erected forms and including laterally proectmg flanges pierced by retention means for securing the waterstop in position during pouring of the panels.

Still another important object of this invention is the provision of an improved waterstop for sealing abutting, sequentially poured concrete panels having normally coplanar flanges adapted to be embedded, respectively, in the panels and joined by a center, relatively flexible section to be disposed intermediate the panels, the center section accommodating deflection of the flanges relative to one another to an intermediate position during pour- 1ng at which one only of the flanges is secured to a connnuous form partition, the other flange being subsequently disposed in co-planar relation with the first flange following removal of the partition and during complete investment of the waterstop in the final multi-panel structure.

Other objects of this invention will appear in the following description and appended claims, reference being had to the acompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

On the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is an end elevational view of a waterstop of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the waterstop of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 illustrates the waterstop of FIGURES 1 and 2 in an adjusted position during installation and durmgl carrying out the method of the present invention; an

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 3 illustrating the waterstop in its final installed position.

As shown on the drawings:

In FIGURE 1, reference numeral it) refers generally to a waterstop of the present invention. This waterstop or sealing strip 1% is preferably extruded of elastomeric material as a continuous strip, and may be formed from any suitable elastomeric material, such as rubber, synthetic rubber, polyvinyl chloride, or the like.

structurally, the sealing strip of the present invention comprises a central deformable section or bight portion indicated generally at 11 and transversely projecting side flanges 12 and 13, respectively, formed integrally with the central deformable section 11. Preferably, the central deformable section or bight portion 11 of the scaling strip 10 is formed of a material which is substantially softer and more flexible than the material constituting the flanges 12 and 13. Generally, the central section 11 and the flanges 12 and 13 are formed of identical materials, such as polyvinyl chloride, with the central section 11 containing greater amounts of plasticizers and/or lesser amounts of filler or other hardening agents. In any event, the central section 11 is preferably substantially more flexible than the relatively rigid flanges 12 and 13. The reference numerals 17 indicate the line of demarcation between the harder flanges 12, 13 and the softer central section 11.

The central section 11 is preferably of inverted U-shape when the sealing strip is oriented as illustrated in FIG- URES l, 2 and 4 of the drawings. This central section thus comprises vertical side legs 14 and 15 joined by an integral upper arcuate joining portion 16.

The flanges 12 and 13 are each provided with longitudinally coextensive ribs or retaining projections 18 projecting to opposite sides of the planes of the flanges 12 and 13 and serving to retain the flanges in their embedded relation in the concrete when finally poured. Additionally, it will be noted that the flange 12 is provided with an enlarged rib 20 having an abutment face 21 lying substantially normal to the plane of the flange 12 and laterally spaced from the central section 11 of the sealing strip.

The inner end of the flange 12 is provided with an attaching shoulder indicated generally at 25 and including an upper portion 26 lying normal to the plane of the flange 12, a second or transverse portion 27 lying substantially parallel to the plane of the flange 12, and an elongated leg 28 lying substantially normal to the portion 27 and joined to the flange through the portions 27 and 26. This leg 28 has a planar surface 29 which is spaced from and parallel to the abutment surface 21 of the elongated flange rib 20 to confine therebetween a retaining means indicated generally at 30.

This retaining means 30 is preferably a nail provided with an enlarged head 31 abutting the surface 21 of the rib 20 and having a shank 32 joining the head 31 to an abutment boss 33 preferably bottomed against the surface 29 of the shoulder 25. The nail 30 is provided with a free end which is sharpened as at 34 and which is joined to the boss 33 by a knurled intermediate section 35.

Preferably, the retention means or nail 30 is secured in assembly with the sealing strip 10 by means of apertures 39 (FIGURE 2) formed in the shoulder 28 to receive the knurled portion 35 therethrough and by the abutment of the enlarged head 31 with the shoulder 21 and of the boss 33 with the abutment surface 29 of the shoulder 25. Formed integrally with the central section 11 and depending therefrom is a second shoulder 36, this shoulder actually being formed to lie normal to the flangejoining lateral extension 37 of the central portion 11. Thus, the shoulder 36 is formed of more flexible material than the shoulder 28 and is of a thickness substantially less than the thickness of the shoulder 28 to thereby enhance the flexibility of the shoulder 36.

In carrying out the method of the present invention, the strip illustrated in FIGURES l and 2 is utilized as best shown in FIGURES 3 and 4 of the drawings. First, a form is erected for the first of the two sequentially poured panels to be bridged by the waterstop. Such a form necessarily will include a partition 44 preferably formed of wood, and illustrated as extending vertically. Of course,

the partition 40 may well extend horizontally or diagonally, depending upon the shape of the form and the desired location of the waterstop with respect to the remainder of the panel. It will be noted that the partition 40 defines at one face 41 the line of demarcation between the adjacent panels, and this face extends completely throughout the corresponding dimension of the panel. In other words, no elaborate split forms are required.

After erection of the form, the waterstop is positioned as illustrated in FIGURE 3 of the drawings. More specifically, the nail or retention means 30 is utilized to secure the one flange 12 to the partition 40 to project normally thereto. This is accomplished by driving the pointed end 34 of the nail 30 into the partition member 40 so that the abutment 33 secures the shoulder 25 in flat face-toface abutment with the partition. The flange 12 is thus supported in its horizontal position by means of the abutment or shoulder 20 contacting the enlarged head 31 of the nail. The other flange 13 of the waterstop 10 is deflected to lie against the partition surface 41 of the form wall 40. Such deflection is readily accomplished by the relatively soft central section 11 of the waterstop and also by the ready deflectability of the second shoulder 36.

Of course, it will be readily understood that a plurality of nails 30 are provided as required and that these nails support the flange 12 in its angular relation to the partition 40 during the pouring of the first concrete panel 45. The concrete of the panel 45 will invest the flange 12 therein and, of course, will also partially invest the flange 13 and the central section 11 of the waterstop. However, the flange and the waterstop will not be completely invested because of their sealed contact with the face 41 of the partition 40, so that the flange 13 may be subsequently readily pulled downward (in a clockwise pivoted movement) from its position of FIGURE 3 to its position of FIGURE 4.

Such movement of the flange 13 can occur only after removal of the form partition 40. Due to the fact that the nail 30 is fully invested within the concrete panel 45, the partition may be readily removed without pulling flange 12 from its invested or embedded position in the panel 45. Thus, after removal of the partition 40, the flange 13 is moved to the position illustrated in FIGURE 3 of the drawings wherein the flange 13 and the flange 12 are in their normal or co-planar positions with the central section 11 of the waterstop bridging the gap intermediate the previously poured panel 45 and the space within which the second panel 46 is to be poured.

The flange 13 is supported in its substantially co-planar position with respect to the flange 12 by means of the previously invested nail 30 merely by forcing the free nail point 34 through the flange or shoulder 36. Thus, the invested shank and abutment portions of the nail 30 serve to retain the nail in position for retention of the previously deflected flange 13. So far as the pouring of the second of the panels 46 is concerned, the waterstop 10 is self supporting and no extraneous support means, such as wire clips or the like, is required to prevent shifting of the waterstop during pouring of the panel 46.

Having thus described m invention, I claim:

1. In a waterstop for forming a water-tight barrier between a pair of abutting cast concrete panels sequentially poured in wooden forms, said waterstop including longitudinally elongated, laterally oppositely directed, relatively rigid flanges usually substantially co-planar with one another, and a longitudinally coextensive, relatively more flexible center section formed integrally with the flanges; the improvements of spaced shoulders formed integrally with the flanges, respectively, to project substantially at right angles thereto and on the same side of said flanges, and a nail carried by one of said shoulders for securing the same in flatwise contact with a portion of the wooden form lying between the adjacent panels during pouring of a first of the panels, the center section being flexed to deflect the other flange and the shoulder carried thereby so as to accommodate such flatwise contact and the nail joining the first flange to the second flange after removal of the form portion to retain the flanges in their normal co-planar relation during pouring of the second panel with the center section therebetween being disposed at the juncture between the panels.

2. A waterstop for forming a water-tight barrier between a pair of adjacent cast concrete panels sequentially poured in wooden forms, comprising longitudinally elongated laterally oppositely directed flanges usually substantially co-planar with one another and each provided with longitudinally coextensive retaining projections, and a centrally located, longitudinally coextensive flexible center section formed integrally with the flanges and lying substantially completely to one side of the co-planar flanges, a first shoulder formed integrally with one of the flanges and oflset into substantial alignment with the con ter section on the other side of said co-planar flanges from said center section, a second shoulder formed integrally with the other flange and normally lying substantially parallel to said first shoulder in spaced relation thereto and on the same side of said flanges as said first shoulder, and a nail carried by said first shoulder for securing the first shoulder in flatwise contact with a wooden form partition between the adjacent panels during pouring of a first of said panels, the center section of said waterstop being flexed to accommodate contact with the partition by the other flange and the second shoulder, and the nail, following removal of the partition, projecting through the second shoulder also to retain the flanges in their normal co-planar relation during pouring of the second panel with the center section being disposed at the juncture between the panels.

3. In a flexible waterstop for forming a watertight barrier between adjacent first and second cast concrete panels sequentially poured in wooden forms and including longitudinally elongated laterally oppositely directed end flanges each provided with retaining projections, and a longitudinally coextensive center section formed integrally with the flanges and lying therebetween, the improvements of a first projection foamed integrally with one of the flanges to project substantially at a right angle therefrom adjacent the center section, a second projection formed integrally with the other flange and usually lying substantially parallel to said first projection in spaced relation thereto and on the same side of said flanges, and a retaining member for securing the first projection in flatwise contact with a woo-den form partition between the adjacent panels during pouring of the first panel, the Waterstop being flexed adjacent the first projection to bring the other flange and the second projection into contact with the partition, the retaining member, following removal of the partition, being utilized to secure the second projection to the first projection, thereby [retaining the flanges in lateral alignment during pouring of the second panel wtih the center section being disposed at the juncture between the panels.

4. In an extruded waterstop of polymeric synthetic material for forming a watertight barrier between a pair of adjacent cast concrete panels sequentially poured in wooden forms, the waterstop having longitudinally elongated laterally oppositely directed flanges usually substantial-ly co-planar with one another and each provided with longitudinally coextensive retaining projections, and a longitudinally coextensive flexible center section formed integrally with the flanges and lying substantially completely to one side of the co-planar flanges, the improvements of a first shoulder formed integrally with one of the flanges and projecting from the side of said co-planar flanges opposite to the center section, an abutment also formed on the one flange spaced laterally from the first shoulder, a second shoulder formed integrally with the other flange and normally lying substantially parallel to said first shoulder in spaced relation thereto and projecting from the same side of said flanges as said first shoulder, and a nail having a shank supported between said first shoulder and said abutment and a point projecting through the first shoulder for securing the first shoulder in flatwise contact with a wooden form partition between the adjacent panels during pouring of a first panel, the nail shank being invested in tne concrete of the first panel together with the one flange, the center section being flexed through an angle of about to accommodate contact with the partition by the other flange and the second shoulder, and the nail, following removal of the partition, projecting through the second shoulder also to retain the flanges in their normal co-planar relation during pouring of the second panel with the center section being released from its deflected position to be disposed at the juncture between the panels.

5. In a twaterstop for joining a pair of sequentially poured concrete sections on either side of a median plane defined by a temporary partition removable after pouring the first section, an olastomeric structure capable of being flexed comprising a center section, a pair of laterally directed flanges formed integrally with said center section and each provided with longitudinally coextensive ribs, shoulders ionmed integrally, respectively, with the flanges, each such shoulder lying substantially at a right angle to its respective flange and the shoulders being generally parallel to one another to lie on the same side of said flanges, and retaining means piercing one of the shoulders and of suflicient length to pierce the other shoulder, the retaining means initially securing the complete Waterstop to the partition with one flange projecting substantially perpendicular to the partition and the other flange lying parallel to the partition and in contact therewith, and the retaining means securing the shoulders to one another after removal of the partition to position the flanges in lateral alignment.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,484,520 Mathis Oct. 11, 1949 2,798,373 Harza July 9, 1957 2,834,198 Goodman May 13, 1958 2,961,731 Buzzell et al. Nov. 29, 1960 2,985,938 Rappas May 30, 196 1 FOREIGN PATENTS 734,825 Great Britain Aug. 10, 1955 775,558 Great Britain May 29, 1957 OTHER REFERENCES Engineering News Record Publication, June 23, 1960, page 69. 

5. IN A WATERSTOP FOR JOINING A PAIR OF SEQUENTIALLY POURED CONCRETE SECTIONS ON EITHER SIDE OF A MEDIAN PLANE DEFINED BY A TEMPORARY PARTITION REMOVABLE AFTER POURING THE FIRST SECTION, AN ELASTOMERIC STRUCTURE CAPABLE OF BEING FLEXED COMPRISING A CENTER SECTION, A PAIR OF LATERALLY DIRECTED FLANGES FORMED INTEGRALLY WITH SAID CENTER SECTION AND EACH PROVIDED WITH LONGITUDINALLY COEXTENSIVE RIBS, SHOULDERS FORMED INTEGRALLY, RESPECTIVELY, WITH THE FLANGES, EACH SUCH SHOULDER LYING SUBSTANTIALLY AT A RIGHT ANGLE TO ITS RESPECTIVE FLANGE AND THE SHOULDERS BEING GENERALLY PARALLEL TO ONE ANOTHER TO LIE ON THE SAME SIDE OF SAID FLANGES, AND RETAINING MEANS PIERCING ONE OF THE SHOULDERS AND OF SUFFICIENT LENGTH TO PIERCE THE OTHER SHOULDER, THE RETAINING MEANS INITIALLY SECURING THE COMPLETE WATERSTOP TO THE PARTITION WITH ONE FLANGE PROJECTING SUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDICULAR TO THE PARTITION AND THE OTHER FLANGE LYING PARALLEL TO THE PARTITION AND IN CONTACT THEREWITH, AND THE RETAINING MEANS SECURING THE SHOULDERS TO ONE ANOTHER AFTER REMOVAL OF THE PARTITION TO POSITION THE FLANGES IN LATERAL ALIGNMENT. 